Gruelling 120+ Mile Cycle Fundraiser for AFC Portchester’s 3G Pitch
A determined group of local business leaders and AFC Portchester representatives are set to take on a demanding 120+ mile cycling challenge in a bid to raise vital funds for the club’s new 3G pitch project.
Trevor Deacon (Club Finance Director), Bryn Furber (Head of Academy Development and Youth Liaison Officer), and Louis Avenell (Commercial Director at KEYTO Group), alongside Lewis Deacon, Europe Sector Manager for the OnSite Group, and Luke Channer, Director of Channer & Co, will cycle from Weston-Super-Mare Football Club, Optima Stadium to the OnSite Group Stadium, home of AFC Portchester, over the course of two days.
This is no small feat. Covering more than 120 miles over consecutive days, the challenge will test both physical endurance and mental resilience. Long hours in the saddle, varying terrain, and the fatigue of back to back cycling make this a significant undertaking, even for experienced cyclists.
The scale of the challenge is already becoming clear. Members of the group recently completed a 60 mile training ride from Portchester to West Wittering and back, an early milestone that highlighted both the demands of the journey ahead and the team’s commitment to the cause. With further training planned, the group continues to prepare for what promises to be a tough but rewarding experience.
At the heart of this effort is a shared goal: raising funds to help AFC Portchester deliver a new 3G pitch. This facility would be transformative for both the club and the wider community. Unlike traditional grass surfaces, a 3G pitch allows for all year round use, significantly reducing cancellations due to poor weather and enabling consistent training and use.
Beyond football, the pitch will serve as a vital community hub a safe, inclusive space where people of all ages and abilities can come together. From grassroots sport and youth development to wider community activities, the facility is designed to promote health, wellbeing, and social connection across the area.
With key grant funding already secured, the focus has now turned to fundraising efforts like this cycle challenge to help bring the project to life.
To support this cause and the cyclists taking part in this challenge, donations can be made via their JustGiving page:
Every contribution will go directly toward the creation of a facility that promises lasting benefits for the club and wider community.
As the cyclists prepare to take on this demanding journey, their efforts stand as a testament to the strength of community spirit surrounding AFC Portchester, and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together for a common goal.
Good luck to all involved.